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Science-based gardening information for Colorado communities from CSU Extension, Denver Botanic Gardens, and Green Industries of Colorado.

1044 – Amaranths   arrow

What are amaranths?

Amaranths are Victorian flowers that deserve consideration for your garden. Grain, vegetable and flowering types are native to the Americas and were much-prized by the Aztecs.

How big do amaranths get?

Amaranths grow tall and bushy with heights ranging from two to eight feet. They make a beautiful back-of-the-flower-border plant or temporary shrub. Easy to grow in full sun, amaranths thrive against warm, southern walls.
Amaranths

What do amaranths look like?

The leaves are spear-shaped and range in color from green to dark red, yellow, orange and even fluorescent pink. Amaranth foliage is edible as a cooked green and is very nutritious with a spinach-like flavor.

Love-lies-bleeding, or tassel flower produces long-lasting flowers with erect or drooping tassels. One tassel may last for up to eight weeks. Color shades include red, maroon and chartreuse green.

Prince’s feather has leaves of purple, red and green, and bears tiny, bright-red flowers.amaranths

Joseph’s coat, a vegetative type amaranth, has insignificant flowers but richly variegated foliage.

Are amaranths easy to grow?

Amaranths are easily grown from seed if planted after the last frost in warm soil. They are attractive cut flowers and are excellent for drying.

Please note: the only reference to Amaranths is:

  1. http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Flowers/Annuals/amaranth.htm

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